Thousands gather to protest Russia's adoption ban

MOSCOW 
Thousands of people are gathering in central Moscow for a protest against Russia's new law banning Americans from adopting Russian children.

They are carrying posters of President Vladimir Putin and members of Russia's parliament who overwhelmingly voted for the law last month. The posters have the word "Shame" written in red over the faces and proclaim that Sunday's demonstration is a "March Against the Scum" who enacted the law.

Outrage over the adoption ban has breathed new life into the dispirited anti-Kremlin opposition movement, whose protests against Putin and his government have flagged.

The adoption ban was retaliation for a new U.S. law aimed at punishing Russians accused of human rights abuses. Those opposed to the law say its main victims are not Americans but Russian orphans.